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Michigan committee hears testimony on bills to allow direct sale of raw milk
Summary
The House Committee on Government Operations heard testimony on bills (referred to in the transcript as house bills 52 17–52 19) that would permit dairy farmers to sell unpasteurized milk directly to consumers. Proponents cited consumer choice and small‑farm relief; members raised food‑safety, inspection and labeling concerns.
LANSING — The House Committee on Government Operations on [date not specified in transcript] heard testimony on legislation described in the transcript as "house bills 52 17 through 52 19" that would allow dairy farmers to sell raw, unpasteurized milk directly to customers.
Proponents, including producer-advocates and witnesses who identified themselves as small‑farm operators, told the committee that direct sales would expand consumer choice and help small family farms compete. "Raw milk contains the compounds that we need to digest lactose," testified Ashley Armstrong of Armstrong Farms, adding that raw milk also carries "bioactive heat‑sensitive compounds" such as lactoferrin she said support gut and immune health.
Rep. [name given in transcript as] Maddox opened the hearing and framed the bills as a consumer‑choice and small‑farmer issue. Witnesses described existing herd‑share arrangements used in Michigan and said the…
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